Youth Tour to Washington DC

What is the National Rural Electric Cooperatives Youth Tour?

Every June, as many as 1,500 high school students from across the country spend a week in the nation's capital as part of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. The students are sponsored by electric cooperatives – cooperatives that are committed to educating America's rural youth about America and the role electric cooperatives play in developing strong rural communities.

Since 1957, at the encouragement of then Senator, Lyndon Baines Johnson, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) has been sending a delegation of students from rural America to our nations' capital each summer.  He believed it was imperative that young adults have an opportunity to see first hand what our flag stands for and represents.  Every year, thousands of high school juniors and seniors from across the nation join in Washington DC to gain an understanding of our nation's history and the freedoms we enjoy, as well as the many costs of those freedoms.

In addition to visiting sites such as the Lincoln and World War II Memorials, students also tour museums and national landmarks. Students will be provided insight into the important roles electric cooperatives play in their community and will gain a personal understanding of American history and their role as responsible citizens.  The Youth Tour experience is rewarding, educational and fun! Participating in the Youth Tour is an awesome way to learn about this great nation, develop leadership skills, gain a better understanding of electric cooperatives, and make friendships that will last beyond the week!

Follow the links below for additional information.  Applications and essays are due to Park Electric no later than November 30th, 2023.

• Resource Guide (PDF)
• Application (PDF)
• Contest Rules (PDF)